girl scouts of the colonial coastSummer adventures are the best kind, especially when they include time at Girl Scout camp! This year, GSCCC offered adventure sessions for teens at Camp Skimino where they traveled from camp to some awesome locations in Virginia.
The first session included travel to False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach (read about that trip here). The second adventure session, held the week of July 18, took girls to Crozet, Virginia, near Skyline Drive where the Appalachian Trail passed through their campground. It was a chance for campers to go beyond their comfort zone and open themselves up to new experiences while being supported by their sister Girl Scouts.
Our campers found a quiet site at the Dundo Campground where they pitched a tent and called it home for a few days. Thanks to good planning, they had all the “fixings” they needed to grill some yummy dishes. There’s something magical about gathering around a glowing campfire, eating s’mores, gazing at the stars and leaving your cares behind!
With awe-inspiring scenery surrounding them, the campers were charged up to explore and hike on the first day to Blackrock Summit via the Appalachian Trail. On the second day of the excursion, they spent time viewing incredible rock formations in the Grand Caverns in nearby Grottoes, Virginia. (The Grand Caverns were discovered in 1804 and are the oldest continually-operating caverns in the nation!) Then it was off to hike the Jones Run Trail, which runs beside a 42 foot waterfall.
These campers had truly breathtaking experiences and learned a lot about the outdoors, nature and their own abilities. While it was hard to pack up and leave, they had to admit that the stop at an escape room on the way back to Camp Skimino was pretty cool!
Camping is one of the most treasured Girl Scout traditions. Whether you’re in the wilderness, at Girl Scout camp or in your own backyard, camping is a great way to connect to nature and bond with your Girl Scout sisters! Don’t forget to sign up for Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend: September 10 at Jockey’s Ridge and September 11 at Machimoco State Park. Enjoy fun activities for all grade levels and earn a patch!
